Archive: August, 2008

This month’s GQ, under “Amp Up Your Style,” has a short how-to piece making cutoffs — taking a $145 pair of DKNY chinos to do the job. Obviously, we would not likely pay $145 for a pair of chinos to begin with, and if we did, would certainly not be making them into cutoffs, but we digress . . . This got us to thinking, though — cutoffs for men? Is this acceptable? Jack says, in a word, no. Let’s qualify that — no, unless you are 21 or under, hiking through the deep woods, OR are in the midst of a pick-up basketball game on the neighborhood playground (and even then they must — MUST — be to the knee at least). If you are outside of those three circumstances, then we say get a regular pair of shorts and leave the ragged edges to the kids. Yup, growing up is hard.

Okay, that’s our take — but what do you have to say? Are cutoffs a fashion Yea or a huge style Nay?

The Lowdown: Live easy with these pair of relaxed jeans in a variety of washes by Bullhead. Its loose fit and cool wash give ‘em that great already-lived-in look and feel, that looks great with a T and sneakers or dressed up with a button-down and boots. Also available in skinny, straight leg and boot-cut styles.

The Lowdown: Okay, it’s not hard to spend $200 or more at Brooks Brothers . . . it’s hard not to spend a whole lot more quite frankly. That being said, this is a great deal for those of you planning to pick up some high-quality wardrobe classics that will last you year in and year out (like these Dress Shirts, in three fits, 3 for $199). Also, you might want to check out sale items, like this 70% off sale on the Black Fleece Men’s Collection.

See Jack Shop brings you links to the latest styles, trends and tips for fall from around the web.

~ HighSnobiety is a fan of 3sixteen’s fall 2008 lookbook, which previews their styles in sepia. Hypebeast highlights the brand’s fleece hooded blazer along with their wool flannel shirts and cardigans. According to the online mag, the fall collection will hit stores beginning August 15.

~ StyleFeeder’s Tastemaker Diaries says men are loving “luxurious blazers.” The always-classic piece should be sought after in “luxe, touchable fabrics like wool, cashmere, corduroy and moleskin.” The blog suggests a merino cardigan as an alternative to the jacket.

~ The Upgrader got the lowdown on what’s hot for fall 2008 from 14 menswear designers, who pick at everything from head to toe. Stay tune for inexpensive alternatives.

~ Details branches out beyond the common khakis and jeans with nine pieces to make your fall wardrobe solid from wool flannel, patterned to crop pants. Also, get the magazine’s tips on how to accessorize them with shoes and belts.

See Jack Shop brings you links to the latest end of summer styles, trends and tips from around the web.

~ Whether you’re a city dweller who cringes at the thought of street feet or you’re simply not a fan of sandals, Amanda Brooks found alternatives to the feet bearing shoe on Men’s Vogue.com. Her picks include “anonymous sneakers,” which has unfamiliar brand markings, the new versions of the dock sider and John Varvatos brown leather laceless shoes.

~ Even though we’re in the midst of summer, there’s sunglasses we won’t see until February 2009! The Italian brand Super designed sunglasses with edges revealing colorful layers for $160 according to the Men’s Style.com blog. For handmade frames, would you consider this a splurge or deal?

~ Despite the summer heat, Bill Cunningham of the New York Times found scarves being worn and compiled another audio slideshow. He even found a couple of guys in the mix.

~ The Sartorialist has captured a few men in skirts. He poses a few questions such as the “cultural appropriation, how the gentleman’s legs look in the skirt, what shoes to wear? And above or below the knee?”

~ The summer Olympic Games in Beijing are about to begin! Special products for the games have been surfacing for months but this time, it’s Nike. According to HighSnobiety, Nike will release Air Max 1 “Olympic Perforated Metal” pack, which comes with a gold and silver pairs of kicks with embroidered white heels. Where’s the bronze?